PLANS moved a step nearer this week to giving 7,000 Dorking residents a new multi-million pound, state-of-the-art medical centre providing care around the clock.

After announcing their intentions in January, medics behind the scheme have now formally submitted a planning application for consideration by Mole Valley Council.

The centre would be built on part of the old council-owned swimming pool and sports club site at Reigate Road to replace the present Medwyn Surgery at nearby Moores Road that was established in the late Fifties.

The new centre would be five times larger than the present surgery and provide a base for 50 staff and a practice for six family doctors.

Training facilities would be available for undergraduate and postgraduate medical students and doctors, together with accommodation for a health visitor, community and school nurses and an out-of-hours medical unit.

Chiropody services would be provided as well as facilities for physiotherapy and chiropractice. A pharmacy and space for voluntary groups are included in the plans.

The planning application has been submitted by Dr Stewart Tomlinson on behalf of the Medwyn Surgery team following an agreement in principle to buy the land from the council.

“Hopefully there will be a planning decision for consent by August and then we will negotiate the purchase of the land,” he said this week.

“We would hope to start demolition of the swimming pool building in late autumn and, if all goes smoothly, our doors would open to patients in December 2005.”

Dr Tomlinson would not be drawn on the cost of the scheme, saying there were a number of aspects affecting the price that still had to be ironed out. However, he added: “It will be extremely expensive. It is a multi-million pound project.”

The Medwyn team has described the development as exciting and one that would provide unparalleled medical care to the people of Dorking.

Patients would be able to see a doctor, community nurse, visit a therapist or collect their prescription all from one convenient site.

By incorporating the Thamesdoc out-of-hours service in the scheme, facilities would be available to patients around the clock.

Primary care is at the forefront of the NHS and where more than 90% of patients are treated.

Angela Moon, the director of East Elmbridge and Mid Surrey Primary Care Trust, has said that the development of a one-stop medical centre recognised the vision of the NHS plan where a consistently high standard of healthcare was provided close to people’s own homes.

There has been continuous expansion at the Moores Road site during the 50 years since the Medwyn Surgery was established by Dr John Partridge.

It was awarded teaching status by the Royal College of General Practitioners in 2001 and is affiliated with the medical schools at Guys, St Thomas’ and King's, educating medical students and doctors pursuing careers in general practice.

There are currently six doctors, seven nurses and 11 administrators based in the building who are responsible for the healthcare of 7,000 Dorking residents.

The patients’ list has increased by more than nine per cent over the past three years and the trend is expected to increase as more homes are built in the area.